prev story

next story

Fitness Controversy: Why Are Women So Afraid of Weight Training?

There was some outrage recently among health and fitness experts about a famous bride-to-be who was quoted in a magazine saying that she was giving up weights, pre-wedding, to help her muscles keep a "lean line." Let's discuss...

BlissTree recently reported that the gorgeous Charlene Wittstock, the South African Olympic swimmer who’s set to marry Prince Albert of Monaco next week, is giving up weights in preparation for her big day. The former Olympic swimmer told Vogue that she worries weights will ruin her lean look. From the article:

"In preparation for the perpetual camera-readiness expected of her as first lady of Monaco, she has cut out weight training and increased her stretching time to give her body a leaner line."

BlissTree's Briana Rognlin is outraged. She writes, "in one fell sentence, they’ve managed to perpetuate bad stereotypes about weight training and physical fitness. In fact, the average woman needs more weight training to get a 'leaner line,' and lots stretching is probably a good thing for competitive (or formerly competitive) athletes like Wittstock, but most brides aren’t professional athletes and don’t need to worry about looking bulky if they prep for their weddings in the weight room."

She goes on to list the ways that weight training is good for the body, and I agree with all: